801 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Suite 201 Washington, DC (202) PROGRAMS AND SERVICES GUIDE MAY 2012

Transcription

1 801 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Suite 201 Washington, DC (202) PROGRAMS AND SERVICES GUIDE MAY 2012

2 Core Purpose To improve the lives of men, women and children in the District of Columbia by providing comprehensive mental health services. Core Values We deliver quality in all that we do. We are constantly innovating as we strive to be leaders in our field. We treat all staff and consumers with respect and dignity. We reward quality work equitably for all employees. We behave with integrity, acting always and only in accordance with core values.

3 ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Community Support Services Trauma Services Dual Diagnosis Services Wellness Services Justice Services Recovery Community Services Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Services Psychiatry Clinic Day Rehabilitative Services Sisters Empowering Sisters: Peer-to-Peer Services Supported Employment Consumer Benefits Services Supportive Housing Services Recovery Community Housing Community Residential Facilities Supportive Independent Living Apartments Supportive Housing Programs Youth in Transition CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Community Support Services Psychiatry Clinic Community Based Intervention (CBI)

4 ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Community Support Services Community Connections provides comprehensive and integrated mental health services for consumers who have serious mental health issues. The program is voluntary (in some cases treatment is required by civil or criminal order) and open to those seeking help with mental illness. Consumers also present with other concerns which may be compounded by mental health symptoms. These include co-occurring problems of addiction, homelessness, medical illness and violent victimization. Integrated clinical services include diagnostic assessment, community support, care coordination, therapy, and liaison with psychiatry clinic services. Community Support Specialists work with consumers providing direct care and coordinating services provided by psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, day treatment providers, peers and paraprofessional housing staff. Specialty teams that are a part of the adult service program include: Trauma, Dual Diagnosis, Wellness, Justice, and Recovery Community Teams. Trauma Services Community Connections operates an Intensive Trauma Services team on which women who have experienced sexual or physical abuse in childhood or adulthood receive integrated and fully trauma-informed clinical and community support services. The staff is specially trained to address issues related to post-traumatic stress disorders. Additionally, men and women who have experienced abuse and violent victimization during their lives are invited to participate in Trauma Recovery and Empowerment (TREM) groups. The groups are gender-specific and address skill building and recovery issues in a structured group format. Dual Diagnosis Services Community Connections has been in the forefront of integrating mental health and substance abuse treatment for people with co-occurring disorders for many years. The agency integrates, both clinically and programmatically, treatments for both disorders at the practitioner, team and agency level. The program uses an array of Evidence Based Practices including Dual Disorder Case Management (DDCM), The Fresh Start Motivational Interviewing curriculum, and numerous cognitive behavioral and motivational enhancement groups. Two clinical teams of Community Support Specialists are trained in both psychiatric rehabilitation and substance abuse principles and treatment methods. When more intensive group services are required, consumers are also referred to the dual disorders track of the Day Rehabilitative Services Program, CORE. Wellness Services The Wellness Team offers specialty case management services for consumers who have both a mental illness and one or more co-occurring medical illnesses. The focus is on integration of physical and mental health care with the understanding that each impacts the other. Community Support Specialists on the team have relationships with a number of local medical providers that allow us to more easily schedule appointments and coordinate care. Wellness clinicians have a comfort level and familiarity with medical issues and the intersection between medical and mental health issues which allows them to provide consumers with skills training and support to assure better integration of care. Justice Services The criminalization of people with mental illness has become a national problem in the past ten years. To effectively respond to the problems our consumers face, Community Connections has developed specialty service at each stage of a person's possible engagement with the criminal justice system. Community Connections works with the Metropolitan Police Department, the Pretrial Services Agency, the Public Defender Service, the US Attorneys Office, the Department of Corrections, the Judiciary at DC Superior Court, Probation and Parole, prisoner re-entry programs and the Parole Commission in an effort to develop well coordinated and responsive services. Prevention of criminal justice involvement is our highest priority, but when someone is drawn into the Criminal Justice system staff help them successfully navigate its complexities and provide the support they need to make

5 thoughtful, informed decisions. The Justice Team staff is also sensitive to the impact of co-occurring problems of addiction, homelessness, institutionalization and violent victimization on a person's ability to deal effectively with the justice system. Together with the Department of Mental Health, the Justice team has developed the Options Program which is a close collaboration between Community Connections, the Pretrial Services Agency and the Mental Health Community Court. In addition to providing specialty case management services, the Options Program operates an emergency residential program with five beds for homeless people referred by the Pretrial Services Agency Recovery Community Services Starting with the belief that people grow, develop, and evolve into their unique selves in the presence of other people, the Recovery Community (RC) program is a Community Connections clinical case management and supportive housing model that seeks to create intentional, safe, relationship-centered communities of residents. Residents live independently in a variety of building styles including shared houses or congregate apartments. In these communities and with the support of clinical staff, residents are able to develop healthy relationships, be active participants in a supportive community, and develop the ability to heal from the impacts of mental illness, trauma, substance abuse, homelessness, discrimination, and poverty. Community Support Specialists utilize the evidence-based practices of Integrated Treatment for Dual Disorders (IDDT), Wellness Management and Recovery, and Supportive Employment to provide supportive services to Recovery Community residents. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Services The Community Connections ACT teams serve people who suffer from the highest intensity of mental illness and co-occurring problems; consumers who have had frequent medical and psychiatric hospitalizations, arrests, and episodes of homelessness. The ACT Program embraces the nationally established Evidence Based Practice Model for this level of care. With small case loads and tight knit interdisciplinary team staff are able to help people who fall through the cracks of less intensive levels of care - or who overwhelm them. Treatment goals promote independence whenever possible while preserving the option of asserting care in a respectful manner when safety is at stake. The ACT teams work closely with consumers and all other systems of care (criminal justice, physical healthcare, housing, substance abuse treatment) to create the best possible chance for recovery. Psychiatry Clinic The Community Connections Psychiatric Clinic provides access to Board certified psychiatrists and nurses. The clinic provides integrated psychiatric care to all interested consumers in services at Community Connections and works closely with the community support teams. Services provided in the clinic include assessment, medications management, lab work, and nursing services such as medication planning, injections, and vitals. Day Rehabilitative Services (The CORE Program) The Community Connections CORE Program is a skills training and motivational enhancement program that supports participants in their efforts to change lifestyle, overcome obstacles, recover their lives and experience empowerment. Central to the process is the development of skills that will empower the individual to make positive life choices. While in the program, consumers work with others in a variety of activities to gain, or rebuild, confidence and the skills necessary for living life independently. Many people find that support and encouragement from others in the program are an important part of the recovery process. Tracks include Illness Management and Recovery (IMR), Dual Diagnosis, Wellness, Weight Loss, Communication, Interpersonal Skills and Creative Expression. Sisters Empowering Sisters: Peer-to-Peer Services Sisters Empowering Sisters offers a peer-to-peer recovery community that emphasizes empowerment and mutual support among women in recovery from substance abuse, mental health issues and trauma. SES seeks to help women build the life skills necessary to live full, healthy and hopeful lives. SES strives to

6 provide a positive and trusting atmosphere to support women s growth, to increase knowledge about local resources that are welcoming and responsive, and to bridge the gap between generations of women to minimize the intergenerational transmission of substance abuse and violent victimization. SES offers one-on-one peer support, recovery groups, support groups, life skills groups, education and vocational supports, invited guests workshop series, health and wellness activities, and creative and expressive arts. Supported Employment Supported Employment is an evidence-based practice that encompasses recovery principles and recognizes that employment can be an integral part of a person's recovery. Employment specialists (ES) assist consumers in searching and applying for the job of their choice. Working together Employment Specialists and consumers develop an Individual Work Plan, create a resume and practice interviewing skills. Employment specialists coordinate with the consumers treatment team and once the consumer is employed the ES provides job coaching and follow-along supports to assist the consumer in maintaining employment. Consumer Benefit Services The Consumer Benefits Coordinator assists consumers with managing their Social Security entitlements and acts as liaison with the Social Security Administration. It is the duty of the Benefits Coordinator to report to SSA all matters that could potentially impact consumers benefits i.e. changes of address, resource and income changes, inpatient stays at hospitals, and periods of incarcerations. The Coordinator assists with completion, submission, and follow-up on new and appealed SSA claims. Benefits counseling is provided to consumers as needed and ongoing training and technical assistance is provided to clinicians on Social Security rules and regulations. The Coordinator obtains, disseminates, and assists in resolving issues involving Medicaid and Medicare. Community Connections acts as the Representative Payee for a large number of consumers. This service is provided to consumers who are in need of support in managing their SS entitlements. The Representative Payee Program is an inter-agency collaboration to ensure that consumers have their financial needs met while being supported and encouraged in their goal of financial autonomy. Supportive Housing Services Community Connections offers a spectrum of service-enriched housing options and administers several federal grants and affordable housing subsidy programs. The settings range from transitional to permanent in nature and include residential communities, staffed group homes, and independent apartments. Recovery Community Housing Starting with the belief that people grow, develop, and evolve into their unique selves in the presence of other people, the Recovery Community (RC) program is a Community Connections clinical case management and supportive housing model that seeks to create intentional, safe, relationship-centered communities of residents. Residents live independently in a variety of building styles including shared houses or congregate apartments. In these communities and with the support of clinical staff, residents are able to develop healthy relationships, be active participants in a supportive community, and develop the ability to heal from the impacts of mental illness, trauma, substance abuse, homelessness, discrimination, and poverty. Community Support Specialists utilize the evidence-based practices of Integrated Treatment for Dual Disorders (IDDT), Wellness Management and Recovery, and Supportive Employment to provide supportive services to Recovery Community residents. Community Residential Facilities Community Connections operates more than 18 staffed 5-8 person group homes for consumer who need assistance with activities of daily living, medication management, behavior management or who need a specialized treatment environment for a period of their recovery. Some of the homes are transitional and are designed to help persons for limited periods until permanent housing can be identified. Others are permanent and are aimed at providing long-term supports to individuals unable to live independently.

7 Supportive Independent Living Apartments The apartment program is by far the largest component of the housing program and comprises more than 250 units located throughout the city. All participants enjoy private bedrooms in predominately 1 or 2 bedroom configurations. Supports are provided by staff dedicated to service in the field in close partnership with the Community Support Teams. Supportive Housing Programs Community Connections administers a group of grants funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development called Supportive Housing Programs (SHP). SHP grants all prioritize homeless persons with special disability-related needs and offer either Transitional or Permanent housing subsidies. Some of the subsidies are offered at a particular property (sponsor-based) and others are connected to the individual resident (tenantbased). In addition, SHP grants typically offer supportive services. Community Connections administers a wide range of SHPs that emphasize programming for adults and families with histories of severe and persistent mental illness and may also be recovering from trauma, addiction, HIV/AIDS, and/or may be a U.S. Veteran. Current SHP grants at Community Connections include: HUD Transitional Living Community - 2 year transitional housing for homeless single adults HUD Training Apartments - 2 year transitional housing for homeless single adults Suitland Rd - permanent site-based housing for homeless single women with trauma G St - permanent site-based housing for homeless adults with HIV Girard St - permanent site-based housing for homeless adults who are Dually Diagnosed Permanent Youth - permanent tenant-based housing for homeless youth ages 18-25, either singles or families Permanent Families - permanent tenant-based housing for homeless families C & L - permanent tenant-based housing for homeless single adults Shelter + Care - permanent sponsor-based and tenant-based for homeless single adults (and families) HAHSTA S+C - permanent sponsor-based and tenant-based for homeless single adults (and families) with HIV VA Connections - permanent tenant-based housing for homeless single Veterans And Coming Soon! Family Connections - permanent tenant-based housing for homeless families, with emphasis on Veterans Supportive Services for Veteran Families is funded through grants from the US Department of Veterans Affairs and is a program designed to provide support to military Veterans and their families who are in need of housing stabilization services. SSVF assists eligible Veterans with prevention funds to cover the costs of first month's rent, security deposits, rental, and utility arrearages to secure stable housing. SSVF also provides support to eligible Veterans by sharing local housing resources to access long-term permanent housing. The Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSHP) is a locally funded initiative developed to provide permanent housing and supportive services to chronically homeless individuals and families with histories of homelessness to ensure housing stabilization, maximum levels of self-sufficiency and an overall better quality of life for this population. The first phase of this program is to assess chronically homeless individuals and families who are living on the streets, in shelters and other institutions. The second phase is to place this population into long-term housing. The third phase is to provide effective community support services to ensure that individuals and families are connected to needed support services and achieve the highest degree of stabilization and self-sufficiency possible. Youth In Transition In Maryland, Community Connections provides residential services for youth ages who require a therapeutic environment to manage their psychiatric and emotional problems. This is accomplished within an apartment building setting with six two-bedroom apartments serving 12 young men and women who are aging out of the Montgomery County foster care system.

8 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Community Support Services The Community Connections Child and Adolescent Services Program is youth-centered, family focused, and community based. Our goal is to provide high quality and culturally competent mental health services that are focused on the strengths of each individual child and family. Community Support Specialists meet the child where he/she is, learn the values and perspectives of the family, and join with them in discovering and affirming skills, abilities and talents. Problems are recognized in their proper context and addressed through collaborative partnerships with the families and their formal and informal support networks. The family and team identify and define successes and needs through on-going and regular participation in treatment planning. Psychiatry Clinic The Community Connections Child and Adolescent s Psychiatry Clinic provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment by Board certified psychiatrists to children and adolescents receiving community support services. The primary goal of the clinic is to provide inclusive and integrated psychiatric care to all children and adolescents served by Community Connections and collaborate with the youth, their family, and community support team. Community Based Intervention (CBI) The CBI program at Community Connections provides time-limited, intensive services to help improve the lives of children with complex needs and reduce the likelihood of more restrictive settings including and especially out-of-home placements. The CBI model targets service to specific children but works with the entire family utilizing the strengths of and resources in the community for children, youth, and families. CBI emphasizes the importance of providing care that is trauma informed. Services and supports are individualized and built on strengths. Problems are recognized in their natural context and are solved through mutual, collaborative partnerships with the families and their support networks. CBI is child-centered, family-focused, culturally competent and community-based.